New York, NY, November 10, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern with recent statements by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in support of unauthorized Mideast peace initiatives, including a project known as the Geneva Accord, saying that such unofficial efforts, "however well intentioned, weaken current peace efforts, including the Quartet's road map."

 "In publicly lending support to such initiatives, the Secretary General is taking a position that is contrary to that of the democratically elected government of Israel, a U.N. member state, and undermining Israel's ability to develop its own strategy for good faith negotiations with the Palestinians," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "However well intentioned these initiatives might be, these non-diplomatic plans weaken current peace efforts, including the Quartet's road map, as well as the democratically elected government of Israel's negotiating position."

In a letter, ADL urged Mr. Annan to ensure that Israel and its negotiating partners are treated fairly by the U.N. Secretariat and the entire U.N. structure, and noted that "such public support is not given (by the U.N.) for private initiatives to deal with other conflicts in the international community."

ADL has urged U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to continue to encourage the parties in the peace process "to address the complex and troubling issues facing them without introducing confusing and authorized variations or alternatives."  In a letter this week, ADL expressed concern about recent news reports that quoted from a letter from the Secretary of State expressing praise and support for the project known as the Geneva Accord.